Getting Serious about 2nd Gen Live Axle Conversion

[Jason_25]

PROJECT CANCELLED.

I've decided to go with a budget IFS lift instead (Weldtec). It yields longer travel than stock and provides a 3 inch lift. Much more practical for what I do with the truck. It was a sweet idea but realistically I just don't have the money. Thanks for all your responses.

 

[taxx]

what's the Weldtec go for?

 

[Jason_25]

Either 800, or 1200, I've been too lazy to call and find out for sure.

 

[jshexplo96]

If you were to stick with the project, is it necessary to swap to a manual transfer case to do a sas??

And do you use lifted leafs for the front or the rear or both in order to level it out once complete?

One last one, if you use the early bronco axle that is wider than the truck, could you also use the rear 9" so both axles are wide and it cancels out the need to swap shafts or what not to get the lug pattern the same.

any answers are appreciated
josh

by the way i will be posting in the woops section what happened to my IFS. Last thursday my right front wheel with rotor and hub still attached came off while i was going about 45, i almost flipped my truck and slid of the road in the ditch. it appears to me that the front right shaft blew out some sort and fell apart and somehow the locknut on the other side is nowhere to be found.......wierd, huh???...... so with the insurance money i am planning on the SAS. There are just a lot of questions i need answered.

 

[Jason_25]

Not necessary to swap, but if you're doing an SAS, why stick with a grocery getter TC?

Unsure about the leafs. That's one of those things you'll need to figure out when the time is right.

Yes you can use the 9 inch, with no problem. That's really the way to go if you have the money.

 

[97XEB]

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I've decided to go with a budget IFS lift instead (Weldtec). It yields longer travel than stock and provides a 3 inch lift.
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Jason_25, from what I saw on the site, the Weldtec kit you referenced is for a 4x2 - 4x4 prices are "slightly higher." Additionally, that Weldtec kit only lifts the front, you will still need another kit to get the a$$-end up.

Give the Superlift 4" kit for the 96-01 Explorers a look: Dead Link Removed

If you call them directly, you can generally get it for less than the website advertised price, which puts it slightly over the Weldtec 4x2 range, but still in range.

Why do so many people overlook a complete kit that is made spcefically for our rigs?

 

[Jason_25]

Because I actually wheel my truck and don't want something that decreases it's already low ground clearance, I hate those drop down brackets. Plus the superlift kit doesn't increase wheel travel at all.

 

[97XEB]

I actually agree with you about the drop-down brackets, they are definitely not ideal. Ray and a couple others made some great points about that on different thread.

That said, I have to completely disagree with you about the "decreased" clearance. I just refuse to believe that the Superlift 4" kit and 33s are going to reduce my ground clearance lower than stock. Seems to me that stadx2 has some pretty good air under his rig. Take a look...
Dead Link Removed

Can't argue with you about the wheel travel though- Weldtec seems to be the way to go if that's your goal. By the way, how does Weldtec deal with or get rid of the torsion bars?

Good luck if you go with the Weldtec and keep us posted on progress.

 

[Jason_25]

They don't get rid of them, but they don't drop them down either. With only 3 inches of lift, drop down brackets aren't required. Plus I can TT another 2 inches on top of that as well, if I wanted to.

 

[taxx]

I could only find the one for 2X Explorer??? What weldtec kit are you refering to and where can I find it on the web?

For the rear it would simply be a matter of a spring over to level it out. Especialy with that sport mono leaf!

 

[Jason_25]

You have to call Weldtec and ask specifically for it.

 

[taxx]

how can you go up 3" or more without droping the t-bars at all wont this cause problems? What about the front axle is there a need to replace it? How do you plan on getting the appropraite amount of lift in the rear?

 

[Zukster]

Originally posted by Jason_25
Either 800, or 1200, I've been too lazy to call and find out for sure.

I could do a SAS for less than that assuming my time is free. Of course regearing, lockers, and bigger tires would up the cost, but those are costs you would incur with the IFS lift as well.